Door locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A &#34;POLICE&#34; TYPE DOO-LOCKING DEVICE IN WHICH A LOCKOPERATED TONGUE A ROD-END RECEIVING, CHANNEL SHAPED EXTENSION IS MOVED BY THE LOCK FROM THE SPACE BETWEEN A LOCK CHAMBER TO A ROD-END CONFINING CHAMBER, ON WHICH A BLOCKING MEMBER FOR PREVENTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE TONGUE IS MOVABLY SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS. IN THE   PREFERRED FORM, THE BLOCKING MEMBR IS HINGED ON THE LOCK CHAMBER. IN ONE FORM, THE UPPER END OF THE ROD IS RELEASABLY CONNECTED BY A FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR TO THE ROD-GUIDE BIGHT SECURED ON THE LOCKING DEVICE OVER THE SPACE BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS.

DooR LocKmGMEcHANIsM Filed July ze. `1971.

INVENTOR. Barry A. Elisofon Jud/Th E//fofa 77 United States Patent Ollce 3,702,201 Patented Nov. 7, 1972 3,702,201 DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM Barry A. Elisofon and Judith Elisofou, both of 2010 Newkirk Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11226 Filed July 26, 1971, Ser. No. 165,968 Int. Cl. Ec 17/44 U.S. Cl. 292-338 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A police type door-locking device in which a lockoperated tongue having a rod-end receiving, channel shaped extension is moved by the lock from the space between a lock chamber to a rod-end confining chamber, on which a blocking member for preventing the movement of the tongue is movably supported for movement into and out of the space between the chambers. In the preferred form, the blocking member is hinged on the lock chamber. In one form, the uper end of the rod is releasably connected by a flexible connector to the rod-guide bight secured on the locking device over the space between the chambers.

The present invention relates to a safety door lock and, more particularly, to a door lock of the type generally known as a Police lock.

Police locks are characterized by a rod formed with a diagonally offset end; the other end of the rod being held in a recess formed in the floor at a distance from the door and the offset end releasably held in a locking mechanism secured to the door which is manipulated from the exterior of the door, generally by a cylinder lock. The locking mechanism generally includes a plate secured to the door, on which are secured two vertically spaced chambers separated by a vertical recess. Both of the chambers have their lower portions open to the recess. One of the chambers accommodates the tongue of the lock, that is movable by the stem of a lock-cylinder set into the door and which has at its end that extends into the recess a vertical, channel-shaped extension coextensive in height with the opening in the other chamber, and which is movable from its position in the recess into the other chamber by the turning of a key in the cylinder lock. The other chamber is also open at its bottom and is terminated at its upper end by a solid metal wall. Police locks of the general type described are also provided with a bight above the recess that engages the offset end of the rod to slidably retain it within the locking mechanism when the door is opened.

Police locks of the general character described are considered highly effective for their purpose. However, they share a shortcoming of many other locks; namely, they may be picked from the exterior or otherwise opened by unauthorized persons having a key to the lock. This disability permits the burglarizing of a premises, even during the night, when the occupants of the premises are asleep or otherwise unable to become aware of tampering with the lock. Police locks of the character described also present a danger to small chlidren who may grasp the rod when the lock is open and the door is shut and move it out of the channel-shaped extension so that it may fall upon and injure the child.

The present invention has for its object the provision of police locks of the character described which may be safe against picking or opening by unauthorized persons while the premises are occupied.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means on a police lock for rendering it safe against picking or opening by unauthorized persons with a key while the premises are occupied, which are of relatively simple construction; which may be simply, easily, and economically installed on any conventional police locks; and which may be simply and easily manipulated.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide police locks of the character described which are provided with means for preventing of the falling of the rod when it is removed from the lock while the lock is open.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the police lock of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and from the description following. It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible, and without intent of limiting the invention of the specific details therein shown.

In the drawing:

FIG. l is a more or less diagrammatic front elevational view of the locking mechanism of the present invention shown as mounted on a door, and in open position; partly broken away to show details of construction; with the rod shown in fragment',

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section through the locking mechanism, similar to that of FIG. 2, with the mechanism shown in locking position but capable of being opened by a key;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the locking mechanism of the present invention, in locking position with the safety on;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism, showing the means for preventing the dropping of the rod when the lock is open and the door is shut.

Generally stated the present invention contemplates the provision in a police lock of the character described of means movable in and out of the recess between its chambers while the channel extension is within the rod locking chamber, to block and unblock the recess for inhibiting or permitting the movement of the channel eX- tension out of the chamber. Also the present invention contemplates attaching one end of a relatively short chain or cable -to an upper portion of the rod Whose other end is provided with means by which it can be releasably secured to the bight of the locking device, so that the rod is not free to fall to the iloor.

Referring now, in greater detail, to the embodiment of the locking mechanism of the invention more or less diagrammatically illustrated in the drawings, it is shown compressing a lock affixed on the inside of a door 10, which comprises a base plate 12, by which it is secured to the door and on which is mounted a housing, generally designated as 14. Housing 14 includes a top wall 16, side walls 18, and a front wall 20. Front wall 20 is divided substantially its entire height, by a cutout 22, which extends from its bottom edge to substantially top wall 16. A bight 32 extends'outwardly from wall 20, spanning the upper end of cutout 22.

Cutout 22 divides the housing 14 into two chambers. These include a first, lock-chamber 24, shown at the right of the drawing, in the lower portion of which is located a slidable lock tongue 26', movable by a key-operable lock cylinder set into the door, the details of which are not shown in the drawings, as they do not constitute a part of the present invention. Lock tongue 26 is formed with a channel extension 28, who'se channel 30 faces outwardly. The channel extension is disposed, when the lock is in open position, within the recess defined by the lower edge portions of the cutout 22, and is slidable in and out of the second, rod-confining chamber, to the left side of cutout 22, designated as 34, and which is formed with a top wall 36, that may be integral with walls 20 and 18 of the housing as by being integrally cast with it.

The locking mechanism, as heretofore described, comprises one conventional form of police lock and is operated in conventional manner by inserting therein the upper offset end 40, of rod 38, after the other end of the rod is inserted into the oor recess provided therefor (both not shown). The turning of the cylinder lock by a key in one direction will move the channel extension 28 into the chamber 34 and confine it there to prevent the opening of the door until the lock cylinder is turned in the opposite direction to retract the channel extension from chamber 34 into the recess opposite cutout 22.

In order to prevent, when desired, the opening of the locking mechanism from the exterior With either a key or a lock pick, there is provided on the housing means for blocking the retraction of the channel extension 28 from the lock confining chamber 34. Such means is shown to comprise a block 42, which may be formed of wood or other solid material and may preferably be formed in quarter-cylindrical shape, to provide two rectangularly disposed adjacent sides 44 and 46, one of which is secured to one Wing of a hinge 48, the other wing of which is secured to the exterior of wall 20, on the lock chamber side of the housing 14. Block 42 and hinge 48 are so arranged and positioned that, in one position, as shown in FIG. 2, the two wings of hinge 48 are in overlying position and block 42 overlies and projects outwardly of wall 20, and in the other position, when hinge 48 is in extended position, block 42 extends into the space between the chambers 24 and 34; the block 42 being of a height greater than the height of the channel extension 28 so that it engages against the edge of the slot 22 by its side 46.

By this arrangement, movement of the channel extension 28 out of the lock confining chambers 24 may be inhibited by swinging of the block 42 into the space between chambers 24 and 34, to block retraction of channel extension 28, so that the lock may not `be opened from the exterior by moving the rod out of the confining chamber. Likewise, the closing of the lock from the exterior may, if desired, be also prevented by swinging block 42 into channel extension 28 when the mechanism is open; first removing the end 40 of rod 38 from the channel extension 28.

In order to prevent the inadvertent falling of the rod 38 to the Iiioor which, if caused by a childs handling thereof, may cause injury to the child; or, in general, cause noise and require effort and inconvenience to pick the rod 38 off the floor, a flexible member such as a cable or chain '50, may be secured, in any desired manner, as by welding one end thereof or passing it through a hole formed in the rod adjacent to its upper end; the other end of the flexible member 50 having a safety hook secured thereto, such a's shown at 52, by which it may be hooked onto the bight 32; thereby securing the rod, at all times that it may be desired to do so, with its upper end off the oor.

This completes the description of the police lock mechanism of the present invention. It will be readily understood that the principles and mechanism of the present invention may be readily applied to other forms and variations of police locks, besides the one illustrated. It will also be apparent that the police lock mechanism of the present invention affords greater safety to the occupants of a premises protected by it against its opening by unauthorized persons and also avoids inconvenience, noise, and injury that may result from an inadvertent dropping of the rod member of the mechanism to the floor. It will likewise be apparent that the foregoing advantages are attained by simple, relatively economical, and: easily manipulated means.

It will be further apparent that numerous variations and modificationsmay be made in the police lock mechanism of the present invention, by anyone skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of the p-resent invention hereinabove set forth and without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity.

We claim:

1. In a police type door locking device, including a rod and a housing securable to a door, said housing com-- prising laterally spaced chambers, including a lock chamber and a rod-end confining chamber, a lock tongue in said lock chamber, said lock tongue having an outwardly facing rod-end receiving channel extension, said extension disposed in the space between said chambers when said lock tongue is in retracted position and movable into said rod confining chamber when in extended locking position, means supported on said housing for movement into the space between said chambers for blocking the movement of said tongue.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said tongue movement blocking means comprises a body adapted to fit into said space and supported means supporting said body on said housing for movement into and out of said space.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said body is hinged upon said lock chamber.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein 'said body is shaped to t within said space and within said channel extension.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is formed with a rod-guiding bight spanning the space between said chambers and wherein a exible member is secured by one end to said rod adjacent its channel engageable end, said `flexible member having a safety latch secured to its other end adapted to be relea'sably engaged on said bight.

6. In a police type door lock, including a rod and a housing securable to a door, said housing comprising laterally spaced chambers, including a lock chamber and a rod-end confining chamber, a lock tongue in said lock chamber, said lock tongue having an outwardly facing, rod-end receiving channel extension, said extension disposed in the space between said chamber when said lock tongue is in retracted position and movable into said lock confining chamber when in extended locking position, said rod having an end disposable within said channel member, and a bight secured to said housing over said space, flexible means releasably securing said rod adjacent its said end to said bight for preventing the inadvertent falling of said rod.

7. The locking device of claim 6, wherein said means releasably securing said rod to said bight comprises a flexible member secured by one end of said rod adjacent its 'said end, said flexible lmember having a safety latch releasably securable to said bight at its other end.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 977,182 ll/l9l0 Fuchs 70-94 977,316 ll/1910 Kohn 70-94 1,542,997 6/1925l Finkelstein 70-94 1,695,686 12/ 1928 Hess 70--94 2,301,810 ll/ 1942 Phillips 292-338 3,527,068 9/1970 Gervis 70-94 FOREIGN PATENTS 725,808 2/1932 France 292-Dig, 65

ROBERT L. WOLFE, Primary Examiner 

